“Public Records and Meetings: Open or Closed” forum Thursday at WSU Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. — What kind of business can a government entity conduct in private? Is the public entitled to all government records? Why do we need open records and open meetings laws, anyway?
 
The answers to these questions about Washington’s open public records and open meetings laws will be explained at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, during an Open Government forum at Washington State University Tri-Cities. The session is in the East Building Auditorium, 2710 University Drive, Richland.
 
The Open Government forum is coordinated and co-sponsored by the William O. Douglas Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Admission is free and open to the public — elected officials are especially encouraged to attend.
 
The panel includes:
• Tim Ford, Open Government Ombudsman, Washington state Attorney General’s Office
•  Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland
• John Ziobro, attorney
• Terry Tanner, attorney
• Ken Robertson, Tri-City Herald executive editor
 
Rep. Haler will talk about a bill he introduced in the recent Legislative session that would have increased the fines for violations of the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30). Tanner is the West Richland city attorney and a former Richland City Councilman.
 
Co-sponsors include the WSU Tri-Cities College of Liberal Arts and the Tri-City Herald. The Open Government forum is part of the WSU Tri-Cities Spring 2008 Liberal Arts Season of Events.